The minister of higher education, Nobuhle Nkabane, has become a disgrace and an embarrassment to the higher education sector, the president, the public and the noble values and ethics cherished in higher education.
Her conduct in public (chewing or eating in view of all), her responses to MPs, her recent demeanour, are arrogant and reveal her disrespect and disdain for elected officials and her failure to understand and appreciate her critical role.
Ahmed Essop, a respected higher education consultant, wrote recently: “The minister is either unfamiliar with or does not understand her portfolio’s policy and legislative framework”.
I had the honour to serve ministers Prof Sibusiso Bengu, Prof Kader Asmal, Dr Naledi Pandor and Dr Blade Nzimande in education and higher education for 29 years. The contrast with these distinguished education ministers could not be starker in experience, depth of knowledge of higher education, conduct and respect for their office. Nkabane has brought this sector into disrepute and her presence in the position of minister damages this vulnerable sector.
Her being “economical with the truth” and misleading members of the higher education portfolio committee in the appointments of chairs for the boards of sector education and training authorities is inimical to ethical leadership. The DA’s referral of the minister to the ethics committee is appropriate.
The public denial by Terry Motau of any involvement in these flawed appointments has placed the minister in an untenable position. Her actions, allegedly appointing politically connected members, have been in the interest of her party and not the nation. This minister does not inspire the confidence of the public and young students.
Higher education represents the pinnacle of the education system in any nation. Governed by ethics and ethical conduct, it sets the tone and standards of education within society. It trains teachers, it develops and promotes culture, forms the basis of innovations and is the pride of every nation. Nations are ranked according to the standards, quality and values of their higher education systems.
The strategic priorities of the government of national unity are: to drive inclusive growth and job creation, reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living, and build a capable, ethical developmental state. Higher education is critical to all these priorities. The raison d’être for the GNU was to govern in the national interest and not in the interest of a party. The minister has violated this vision.
The head of our government, the cabinet, suffers from this serious fish disease
It is the prerogative of the president to appoint members of cabinet. But he does not have the prerogative to appoint cabinet members who are incompetent, lack the basic knowledge of the portfolio they lead or are like round pegs in square holes.
If one has a basic appreciation of ethics, integrity and honesty in leadership one must understand the consequences of not upholding these characteristics. It is a tradition in politics that a deviation from expected, normal behaviour often leads to the honourable course — one resigns.
In South Africa, our ministers are often redeployed rather than being made to face the genuine consequences of their misdemeanours. We all know that what happens in the rest of the world often does not apply to South Africa, for we are a country of exceptions and worse still, a country of “miracles”. We expect consequence management in all sectors of our society but not for cabinet ministers. This culture of one rule for the public and a different rule for political office-bearers is taking root.
Leaders are implicated by credible commissions (Zondo’s for example) or task teams but hardly anything happens to them. It is inconceivable how such appointees can provide ethical leadership or lead a capable or a developmental state. We have an administration populated by dubious characters.
A leadership cohort that does not respect ethics cannot constitute an ethical leadership. “The fish rots from the head” — the head of our government, the cabinet, suffers from this serious fish disease.
What is astounding is the deafening silence of University South Africa and the Academy of Science of South Africa on such an important matter. It’s time for the minister of higher education to give us South Africans some respect, look herself in the mirror and relinquish her position without further delay. We must no longer look for or tolerate political solutions for such gross misconduct at the level of cabinet.
• Makgoba is a former vice-chancellor and principal of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and former national health ombud.
For opinion and analysis consideration, e-mail Opinions@timeslive.co.za
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